Month of the Military Child: FSS hosts appreciation event for military children Published April 9, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Michael Charles 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The 99th Force Support Squadron held a Military Child Appreciation Day April 6 at the Nellis Youth Center. The event provided an opportunity for military children to interact with Airmen from different career fields and to see the importance of what their parents do in the Air Force. "It was a worthwhile experience," said Senior Airman Glenn Johnson, 99th FSS readiness specialist. "We feel like we don't do enough for the children, so we wanted to put on an event to show them we appreciate the sacrifices that they make as well." Members from the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire Department and the 99th Medical Group brought a fire truck and an ambulance to the event and gave the children a first-hand account of the processes they go through whenever there is an emergency. "Families are very important to the morale and well-being of our troops," said Senior Airman Shenika Lattimore, 57th Operations Support Squadron aviation resource manager. "It is important to show them what we do in the Air Force so they can understand why what their parents do is important to not only the family but the whole nation." Military children were also treated to an array of events including a sack race, water balloon throwing contest and a sumo wrestling contest. Volunteers from other units also were present providing food, face-painting and ice cream. Community partners also contributed to the success of the event. Students from the University of Nevada Las Vegas judged a baby contest for the most patriotic outfit. "It was important for us to involve the community in the event as well," Johnson said. "Not only did they help honor the children of our service members, but they were also able to learn a little about how both the military and their families make sacrifices in service to the nation." The squadron plans to hold another event similar to this one in the near future. "We most definitely want to do this again in the future," Johnson said. "By involving our children and showing them that they matter too we are instilling that same pride in them that we received when we joined the Air Force. Our Air Force family doesn't end with the military member; it also extends to the family."
